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Funeral for Douglas County sheriff's deputy killed in New Year's Eve day shooting ends with 21-bell salute

By Jennifer Brown

The Denver Post

Posted:
01/05/2018 03:57:24 PM MST

The motorcade drives during the funeral processions for Douglas County sheriff's deputy Zackari Parrish on Friday. Parrish was shot and killed, while responding to a call on Dec. 31 in Highlands Ranch. (AAron Ontiveroz / The Denver Post)

A law enforcement motorcade to the funeral of Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy Zackari Parrish arrived at Cherry Hills Community Church Friday morning after weaving through Highlands Ranch, where trees and lampposts were tied with blue ribbon in honor of the officer shot to death New Year's Eve morning.

The hearse carrying Parrish's body was followed by three limos carrying family members.

The motorcade, with vehicles displaying a photo of Parrish on their windshields, followed the family procession to the church, with rolling road closures along the route. The motorcade was so large, it took more than an hour to pass most locations.

When the motorcade arrived at the church, they were greeted by a large flag hanging in the air, strung between the ladders of two fire trucks.

People observed the motorcade from sidewalks along University Boulevard, Lincoln Avenue, Wildcat Reserve and Grace Boulevard. They held American flags and handmade signs. A Douglas County Sheriff's officer looked around at the crowd gathered, wiping her eyes as she turned onto the street of the church.

Agencies from across the state were involved in the procession, including representatives from Douglas County, Castle Rock and Morrison.

Christina Gross and her 8-year-old daughter made signs to hold at the procession Thursday night. Her husband, who works for federal protection services and participated in the procession, was too distraught to make one, she said.

Gross said hearing about Parrish's death was "devastating."

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"It's always scary when your husband goes to work when you hear about something like this happening," she said. "It's hard."

Lakewood Detective Courtney Schwartz brought her sons, who are 10 and 8, to the procession. She said she felt for Parrish's family, co-workers and command staff.

"You put yourself in their position," Schwartz said. "We all go on calls like that every single day. You never know what's going to happen. It's tragic."

Douglas County Deputy and former Castle Rock Police Department Officer Zackari Parrish, fatally wounded on Dec. 31 at the Copper Canyon Apartment complex in Highlands Ranch. Four other officers and three civilians were wounded. (Photo provided by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office)

She said this isn't the first time she's attended a funeral procession for a fallen officer, saying: "It's sad. You wish it didn't happen."

Kathy Haruf, whose grandson is a Los Angeles Police Department officer, said she had to watch the funeral procession. "I just had to (come)," she said. "My heart told me I needed to be here."

Funeral services began at 11 a.m. and were live-streamed online through the Douglas County's Sheriff's Office. The church was set up to hold 5,000 people. Overflow was also set up in Valor High School. The church opened to the public at 10 a.m.

After overwhelming support from the community — including casseroles and cookies dropped off for deputies and enough flowers and cards to cover a patrol car parked outside a Highlands Ranch substation — sheriff's officials said they can no longer accept the "generous food donations."

Sheriff's officials encouraged the community to donate money to Parrish's widow, Gracie, and two young daughters through the Douglas County Fallen Officer Fund, either online or in person in Highlands Ranch or Castle Rock.

Parrish, 29, was killed and four other law officers were wounded Sunday morning responding to a domestic disturbance call at a Highlands Ranch apartment complex. A gunman fired about 100 rounds after calling officers to his apartment and then barricading himself in a bedroom with a rifle, Sheriff Tony Spurlock said.

As at least one officer talked to him through the door, the gunman released a volley of rounds. Five officers fell to the ground within seconds, despite wearing bullet-proof vests.

Parrish had been a deputy for seven months, following two years as a Castle Rock police officer. His funeral is expected to last more than two hours.

The injured deputies were Michael Doyle, 28; Taylor Davis, 30; and Jeff Pelle, 32. Castle Rock police officer Thomas O'Donnell, 41, also was wounded. Two people in nearby apartments in the complex were wounded, but their injuries were not life-threatening.

The gunman, who was killed during a shootout with SWAT officers, had bipolar disorder and had a manic breakdown during the summer, according to a University of Wyoming Police Department report. Family and friends were trying to get him help in the weeks leading up to the shooting.

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